A/N: Whew! I'm in quite the Pirates mood this week! :) And that means more chapters for you guys! ;D Hope this one satisfies; happy reading!

Hoist The Colors: Book Two

Chapter Three

Jay's POV

"Mr. Gibbs!" I called out to the older sailor as I worked my way across the deck to him.

He turned from where he'd been conversing with Marty, eyes crinkling as he smiled. "Ahh, Miss Jay! To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

"I ah...wanted to speak with you about our eccentric captain." His expression changed as he noted my serious tone, and together we walked away from the rest of the bustling crew to a more private area near the stern of the ship.

"Did he tell you anything?" Gibbs asked as soon as we were out of earshot.

I shook my head. "No. He's being oddly secretive about this key, and I don't like it."

"He didn't say why he wants to go after it?" I shook my head again, and Gibbs frowned. "Did he tell ye what it unlocks?"

It was here that I hesitated for a fraction of a second, and I prayed that he didn't notice. "No. He tried to tell me that it was purely for academic purposes, but we both know that isn't true."

The man scoffed. "'Course not. But it worries me that he'd try and set sail without havin' so much as a heading. Something's on Jack's mind...somethin' he's worried about."

"And whatever it is, if it scares Jack, it can't be good," I agreed. My eyes drifted out to sea, and I let my mind wander for a moment, thinking about the key and its greatly feared owner. What on earth could Jack want the key of Davy Jones for? The only thing that key will unlock is the chest that contains Jones' heart... And then a very unsettling idea crossed my mind. Oh...oh no, he wouldn't dare! ….Would he? I sucked in a breath, quickly turning back to Gibbs. "I think I'll try and go seek him out again. Maybe I can persuade him to give me a little more information."

Gibbs raised an eyebrow. "Ya think he'd give in that easily?"

"Well it's worth a shot, isn't it?" I smiled, hoping it didn't look too fake, and nodded to him. "We'll talk later, I'm sure." Gibbs nodded back, and off I went, hurrying down to the captain's cabin as fast as I could. I knew the lore of Davy Jones very well, and I knew the only reason anyone would ever pursue the key was to get to the chest. The only reason to pursue the chest would be to get to Jones' heart...and the only reason that anyone would ever need access to the heart, as far as I could see, would be to kill Jones, replacing him as captain of the Flying Dutchman as a result. And if that's what Jack was planning to do...

I reached the doors to his cabin and flung them open. "Jack!" I scanned the room, frowning when I noted that the cabin was missing its occupant. Where did you run off to now? I stood in the doorway for a moment, thinking before it hit me. Oh! I spun on my heel and left the room, beginning to head down below decks to where I knew the rum was stored. I smiled to myself when I descended the last staircase a few minutes later and saw that the door to the hold had been unlocked and left ajar. I knew you'd be down here.

Just as I stepped inside, I heard Jack's unmistakeable voice from down the corridor. "And to what do I owe the pleasure of your carbuncle?"

I rolled my eyes, assuming he'd heard me come in, and was just about to answer when another voice came from the back of the ship, catching me off-guard. "He sent me. Davy Jones."

I frowned. What? Who else is down here? I took a few silent steps forward, concealing myself in the shadows so that I was out of sight. Peering out from behind a wooden beam, I could see Jack's back, but not the mysterious guest he was talking to.

"Ah. So it's you, then," Jack said, taking a seat. "He shangheid you into service, eh?"

"I chose it," the mystery voice replied. It was obviously a man's voice, that much I could tell. "I'm sorry for the part I played in the mutiny against you, Jack." My frown only deepened. Mutiny? "I stood up for you. Everything went wrong after that." There was a terrible crunching sound, and I cringed. Who is this person? "They strapped me to a cannon. I ended up on the bottom of the ocean, the weight of the water crushing down on me." ...Wait. That story...it sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before? "Unable to move...unable to die, Jack. And I thought that even the tiniest hope of escaping this fate...I would take it. I would trade anything for it." I slowly began to back away from my hiding spot, now much more concerned as to why there was a member of Davy Jones' crew on our ship and who he was.

"It's funny what a man will do to forestall his final judgment-"

But Jack was interrupted. "You made a deal with him too, Jack." I froze just as I reached the door. "He raised the Pearl from the depths for you. Thirteen years you've been captain."

"Technically-"

"Jack. You won't be able to talk yourself out of this." I slowly slipped through the doorway so I wouldn't be seen, hearing the two men begin to move about. Determining that I had more than enough information, I quickly and quietly began to hurry up the stairs, my mind racing. Who was that? Who was Jack talking to, and how is Jack so familiar with him? And what kind of deal did Jack make with someone like Jones? Suddenly, I regretted leaving so soon, and I stopped in my ascent. Maybe I should go back and-

"ON DECK, ALL HANDS! MAKE FAST THE BUNT GASKET!" I tensed before bolting up the stairs, hearing Jack coming up right behind me. "SCURRY, I WANT MOVEMENT!"

I emerged onto the main deck, ducking behind the mast just a few moments before Jack also came up the stairs, shouting orders like a madman. I stepped out just as he came past the mast, utterly confused. "Jack, what's going on?" He screamed upon seeing me.

"Do we have a heading?" Gibbs called out from just behind us.

Jack jumped again, turning to his first mate with a terrified expression. "R-Run! Land."

Gibbs and I shot him bizarre looks, and Jack tried to run around and duck behind the mast again, only to shout as he crashed into me. "Where?" I asked. "What port?"

"I didn't say port! I said land! Any land!" I looked at him like he'd lost his mind. What is he so afraid of?

Out of nowhere, Jack the monkey suddenly swung down from above, sailing right between us and plucking Jack's hat right off his head. Jack gasped again as the blasted monkey climbed up into the rigging, screeched at us (to which Jack responded with his own hiss), then tossed the beloved tricorne hat over the railing. Gibbs and I immediately darted to the side of the ship, as did most of the crew. "Jack's hat! Bring her about!"

"No no! Leave it!"

We all turned and stared at our captain, shocked at the order. Jack looked up at us with the same frightened look on his face before darting off. "...Run!"

Everyone looked to Gibbs, who hesitated only a moment before relaying the order given. "Back to your stations, the lot of ya!" He and I, however, only shared another worried look before sneaking over to where Jack had 'hidden.' He'd tucked himself away underneath a staircase, pressed flat against the wall, not moving a muscle. "...Jack?"

"Shh!" Our captain shook his head fearfully.

Gibbs only stepped closer, glancing over his shoulder to make sure the three of us were alone. "For the love of mother and child, Jack! What's coming after us?"

Jack locked eyes with me at that moment, and I frowned. He was trying to make a decision, I could see it in his eyes. "...Nothing!"

"Jack..." I warned.

"No no no, it's nothing! I promise!"

"If it's nothing, then what are you so anxious to get away from?" I challenged.

He looked at me again, a pleading expression on his face. "Jay...it's nothing. Trust me."

I stared him down for a minute longer before sighing. "All right, then. When you're ready to tell me the truth, come talk to me," I spat, quickly turning away and heading back out onto the deck to help the rest of the men. I heard Jack weakly call for me to come back, but ignored him. There was only so much of Jack's ridiculous antics that I could tolerate at a time, and right now he was getting on my very last nerve with all his secrets. I growled to myself in frustration and began making my way to the helm to see what I could help with, trying to put all thoughts of my obstinate captain out of my mind.

oOo

Elyse's POV

I plucked absentmindedly at a loose thread on my dress as I sat in the cell with Elizabeth, worried beyond belief about Will and what Beckett had wanted with him. I desperately hoped that Will hadn't agreed to anything too foolish, but I guessed that Beckett would've offered him some sort of proposition in exchange for our freedom.

Elizabeth seemed just as worried, though she was being much more dramatic about it than necessary from where she sat slouched on the ground by the barred cell wall, moping. "I don't understand..." she said quietly. "What does Beckett want with us?"

"The warrants say we helped Jack escape, which we did," I pointed out. "By law, we're bound to answer for that crime."

"But a hanging?" the other woman exclaimed. "Is that really the proper sentence?"

It took all I had not to roll my eyes. "There's not much we can do stuck in here, Elizabeth, we-"

But her attention was drawn away from me once we heard two pairs of feet making their way down the stairs. I looked up and was immediately on my feet, rushing to the bars and gripping them tightly. "Will!"

"No, he can't be here," one of the guards protested.

"I think you'll find he can," said Governor Swann, coming down just after the blacksmith.

Will stepped forward anyway, looking to Elizabeth and I immediately. "What's happened?" I asked. "What did Beckett want?"

"I have to go," Will replied, and my eyes widened. "Beckett wants me to go find Jack and bring back his compass."

"Jack's compass?" Elizabeth frowned. "What does Beckett want with that?"

"Does it matter?" he replied. "I'm to find Jack and convince him to return to Port Royal. In exchange, the charges against us will be dropped."

"No." I looked up at Governor Swann, who'd suddenly cut in. "We must find our own avenue to secure your freedom."

Will turned to him, looking offended. "Is that a lack of faith in Jack or in me?"

"That you would risk your life to save Sparrow's does not mean that he would do the same for anyone else." I looked down, realizing the truth behind the governor's words. "Now...where's that dog with the keys?"

As he stepped away, I looked back to Will. "He's right, you know," I whispered. "Jack isn't the kind of man to remain loyal to someone after three years without seeing them. What if he doesn't come back?"

Will faltered slightly. "I...I don't know," he admitted, "but I'll do anything." His eyes met mine again, and the sincerity in them was enough to make my heart skip a beat. "Whatever it takes to ensure your safety."

Elizabeth smiled, reaching through the bars to touch his hand. "I have faith in you. Both of you." He turned to her, glancing at his hand for a split second. "Where will you find him?"

Will thought about that. "Tortuga. I'll start there, and I won't stop searching until I find him. Beckett gave his word that you two would remain safe here until I return."

"I'll wait for you," Elizabeth replied.

"So will I," I said. I looked down at his chest, touched to see a familiar piece of jewelry hanging there. Oh, Elyse...don't you do it, don't you dare! Ignoring the logical side of my mind, I shakily reached between the bars and touched the smooth white stone that dangled from a leather cord. "You still have it," I said with a smile.

"Of course," he replied, also smiling. "It's my most valuable possession. And I promised you I would keep it safe."

I raised my eyes to meet his deep brown ones again, already resentful that we were being separated once more. "Good luck, and be safe."

"Hurry back," Elizabeth added.

Will nodded to both of us before speaking in no more than a whisper. "Keep a weather eye on the horizon." And just like that, he was up and briskly walking out of the room, leaving the two of us leaning into nothing but cold metal again.

Just as he disappeared up the stairs, however, a new set of faces came down a second staircase at the other end of the room. I looked up in confusion at the two guards, my fear spiking when they approached our cell, staring directly at me. "Come with us, Miss."

"W-What?" I stuttered, slowly backing away as they unlocked the door. "Where?" The guard's response terrified me.

"Lord Beckett is in need of your services."

oOo

I'll admit, I was scared beyond belief of the man as I stepped into his office. I could understand Beckett wanting to make use of Will in the way that he did, but I had no idea what he'd ever want me for. I certainly wasn't any kind of threat to him. So when I stepped through the french doors and was left standing there in irons, I hadn't the slightest idea of where to begin. I could see him, standing across the room, speaking in hushed tones with the man he'd referred to as Mercer earlier. After a moment, he glanced up, smiling when he saw me, though it was not a comforting smile in any way. "Ahh, Miss Norrington. Please, come." He gestured for me to step closer, and I did so warily as Mr. Mercer quickly left the room. "I don't suppose you'd care for a drink?"

I swallowed. "No, thank you."

Beckett smirked. "Well, you're certainly more civil than Mr. Turner was."

I exhaled, cutting to the chase. "What do you want from me?"

"Nothing too tremendous, dear, you needn't worry," he replied coolly. "All I require is that you seek out your dear friend Janette and return her to Port Royal."

"Why?" I asked immediately. "What do you want with Jay?"

He chuckled. "You are much more forgetful than your brother was." I tensed. "If you recall, on the day of your capture I had multiple warrants of arrest, one of which belongs to Miss Lachence. She is required by law to pay the price for her crimes of piracy, just as the rest of you are."

I could've laughed in his face. "So you want me to bring her back here to ensure she makes it in time for her hanging? My answer, unfortunately, is no."

But still, the pretentious smirk did not leave his face. "I had expected such a refusal. Which is why there is another term to my bargain: if you refuse or fail to bring Miss Lachence back to Port Royal, I will personally ensure that Mr. Turner has an appointment with the gallows the moment he sets foot in that harbor."

I froze. "No..."

He nodded. "I thought that might make you reconsider." He turned his back to me as I stood there, horrified at the decision I was being forced to make. "It's an odd thing, really...Mr. Turner was eager to make such a sacrifice for you not ten minutes ago."

I frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Beckett continued to walk away slowly. "I offered him a similar scenario: He completed the task I had given him, and I would do my best to ensure you and Miss Swann's safety, while granting him a full pardon for his actions. He instead insisted that the pardon was given to you specifically before accepting my terms..." Here he turned, looking at me with a devilish glint in his eye. "Interesting, is it not?"

I shook my head a bit. "W-Whatever you're thinking about Will and I...it's not true."

"No?" He cocked his head slightly. "Perhaps just...wishful thinking, then?"

I wanted to scream, fighting to keep my composure as I brushed the subject aside. "So either I bring Jay back to you in order for her to be killed, or you'll take his life instead."

"That's a rather simplistic way of putting it, but yes."

I closed my eyes, thinking hard. I...I can't do that to her. She's the closest friend I've ever had, I could never...that's complete betrayal! But if I don't...then Will... Never in my life had I made such a difficult decision. No matter what I choose, one of them dies. This is impossible.

After wrestling with my own conscience for several more minutes, however, I forced myself to come to a conclusion. Swallowing thickly again, I raised my head to look at the monster standing before me. "I...I accept your terms."

Beckett seemed to be absolutely glowing with happiness. Things were going just how he wanted them to go. He stepped forward, showing a parchment bound in leather to me. "Wonderful. These Letters of Marque will be granted to you as compensation for your efforts upon your return. Thank you, Miss Norrington. Your brother would be very proud."

I glared at him as my anger flared. "Would he?" I spat. "Would he be proud of me being blackmailed into the service of a heartless wretch?"

But Beckett only chuckled again as I turned to leave. "But you see, that is precisely why I am the one with the upper hand. Bitterness is a paralytic. Love is a much more vicious motivator."

I paused as the two guards outside opened the door, about to turn on my heel and let him have it. I knew that nothing good would come of it, however, so I settled for biting my tongue and leaving quietly. I was quickly unshackled and escorted out of the building to prepare for my journey, completely at a loss with what to do with myself. I wanted to scream, I wanted to cry, I wanted to dissolve into a panic for what I'd just done. But I couldn't. I knew I couldn't. I had to think and figure out a way around this. There has to be some sort of loophole. Some way I can save them both...right? I have to. I have to!

A/N: Sorry this chapter had basically the same layout as the last one. :/ That's just kinda how things ended up. Hopefully the next one will be different, though. Until then, have a lovely day! C: Thanks so much for reading!

(also I got to give Beckett one of my favorite Sherlock quotes as a line hooray)